BBC confirms Gary Lineker will step down as Match Of The Day presenter – and has already left Sports Personality Of The Year | UK News

Gary Lineker will step down as host of Match Of The Day on the finish of the season however Sky Information can reveal he has already left the BBC Sports activities Persona Of The Yr (SPOTY) presenting line-up.

Additionally it is understood that Lineker will earn considerably lower than the £1.35m he banked because the BBC’s highest disclosed annual earner underneath the phrases of a brand new deal.

The 63-year-old will proceed to host protection of the FA Cup in 2025/26 and the World Cup in 2026, the broadcaster introduced.

Lineker may also nonetheless present the BBC with the MOTD Prime Ten podcast that’s produced by his personal Goalhanger manufacturing firm.

It was additionally introduced that Goalhanger’s The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast, which options BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will characteristic on BBC Sounds. However Sky Information understands just one ad-free episode per week can be on BBC Sounds, slightly than each episode.

The previous England footballer mentioned: “I am delighted to proceed my lengthy affiliation with BBC Sport and want to thank all those that made this occur.”

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Lineker didn’t clarify in his personal transient assertion why he’s leaving Match Of The Day, which he began internet hosting in 1999.

Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, mentioned: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our protection of the following World Cup and proceed to guide our dwell protection of the FA Cup.

“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We wish to thank him for every thing he has finished for the present, which continues to draw hundreds of thousands of viewers every week.

“He’ll be massively missed on the present however we’re so comfortable he’s staying with the BBC to current dwell soccer.”

In response to a Sky Information query about SPOTY, the flagship annual sports activities awards present, a BBC Sport spokesperson mentioned: “We will affirm Gary has determined to step down from the workforce presenting BBC Sports activities Persona Of The Yr.

“After 23 years final yr’s seventieth anniversary was his closing present.”

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Lineker has hosted the Premier League highlights present Match Of The Day since 1999, after his predecessor Des Lynam moved to ITV.

He’s the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which produces in style exhibits equivalent to The Relaxation Is Historical past, The Relaxation Is Politics and The Relaxation Is Leisure, in addition to his personal soccer podcast.

The corporate, based in 2014, claims to be the UK’s largest impartial podcast agency and mentioned in September its podcasts had been downloaded greater than 380 million instances thus far this yr.

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Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid star in recent times for his work on exhibits together with Match Of The Day and Sports activities Persona Of The Yr, in addition to protection of main tournaments together with World Cups and European Championships.

He acquired about £1.35m in the course of the 2023-24 monetary yr, in keeping with the BBC’s most up-to-date figures.

It’s unclear who will take over from Lineker on Match Of The Day.

Former Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermaine Jenas had at one level been thought of to be his pure successor however he was sacked from the BBC in August over claims of inappropriate behaviour.

Lineker loved a profitable profession as a striker, profitable 80 caps for England, earlier than shifting into broadcasting.